I'm running a VortexBox using Fedora 16 on my desktop. I had it set up to start the Gnome Desktop, and it worked fine. After an update in early March, it stopped working in several ways and I'm just now getting around to trying to fix it.

One problem was with forked-daapd failing to start, and I've switched to a different media server (not sure if it actually works, but at least it starts).

If I have it use /lib/systemd/system/graphical.target, it goes to an all-black screen when it tries to start the desktop. I've switched it to use /lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target instead, and that boots to a log-in prompt for a command line session.

If I run startx, which used to let me start the Gnome desktop, I just get to the all-black screen.

When I have the all-black screen, it's still running, and I can access it through its webpage, but nothing I do at the desktop with the mouse or keyboard does anything. If I push the power button, it will power down, with some apparently normal shutdown messages.

I have no idea what to try to see what the particular problem even is, let alone how to fix it. How do I get the Gnome desktop working again?

To revert back to a "full" gnome session just rerun the command replacing "gnome-fallback" with "gnome"

Should at least get you a GUI from which to repair your session "libmad" is a Monkey's Audio codec so should not in itself bring your whole box to it's knees :$ I am not at all familiar with "VortexBox" so can't help there

I tried the gnome-fallback, but I have the same problem. I do have more information. I found that if I log on with the Remote Desktop Viewer, a bunch of text shows up if I run startx. It gets immediately blanked out on the desktop, but stays visible on the RDV. I should also mention that I've got three possible kernels in the Grub screen, but all behave the same.

Here's the messages I get running startx:
xauth: file /home/ZenBeam/.serverauth.1910 does not exist

The first error message is about .serverauth.1910 not existing. I have other versions (see below), but if I try copying one to .serverauth.1910, it complains about .serverauth.1591 not existing. Copying to that one, it complains about .serverauth.1656. (April Fools day, I guess.)